Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich are both appearing at the same event in Doral on Friday. 

The same day, a new poll showed Romney is pulling ahead of Gingrich in Florida’s primary race. According to the Quinnipiac University survey of 580 likely Republican voters, Romney was favored by 38 percent, compared to 29 percent for Gingrich. 

Ron Paul was third with 14 percent, and he is not even campaigning in Florida. Rick Santorum only got 12 percent. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.1 percent. 

At Friday’s event in Doral, Gingrich received an endorsement from the Hispanic Leadership network, a coalition of Americans from countries all over Latin America, including Cuba. 

“Our commitment to every person in Latin America should be that we want you to have the opportunity to live under the rule of law, to have private property, to pursue happiness, to develop prosperity,” Gingrich said. “We want America to be your closest friend and your closest ally in giving you a chance for your family to pursue a better future.” 

Gingrich repeated his charge that the Obama administration is neglecting Latin America. 

He said he would overhaul the current legal visa system, which he called “cumbersome,” saying the system makes it hard for businesspeople and visitors from countries requiring visas to visit. He said a change would help Florida tourism. 

To whoops and applause, Gingrich said he supports the rights of Puerto Rican people to have a referendum to decide on statehood and promised that, if the people decide yes, he will aid the process of accession. 

Gingrich repeated calls for a series of small steps in immigration reform, acknowledging extremes of harshness and leniency won’t garner consensus. 

Gingrich called for Hispanic Leadership Network representatives to take to YouTube, Twitter and other websites to help his candidacy.

If elected, Gingrich said he would consider asking Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, to join his cabinet. 

Romney is expected at the event Friday afternoon.